The Ten Virgins
A parable is a story that is told to drive a particular point home via illustration. Let’s look at this parable for a moment and let me show you what struck me so forcefully. This parable is in the context of Jesus’ teaching concerning His return. Specifically it is aimed at impressing us to be ready and waiting when He comes.
“1 ¶ “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 “And five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 “For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 “Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and [began] to sleep. 6 “But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet [him.’] 7 “Then all those virgins rose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 “And the foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 “But the prudent answered, saying, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you [too;] go instead to the dealers and buy [some] for yourselves.’ 10 “And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 “And later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 “But he answered and said, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” (Mt 25:1-13 NAS)
Let me walk you through the main points of this story to show you the point that Jesus is making. Jesus was in the process of teaching us the importance of being ready and watching. Each parable or illustration that He uses emphasizes an important truth we need to be aware of. This parable emphasizes the need to be prepared should His coming be later than we had anticipated.
- There are Ten Virgins their purity is unquestioned
- They all have lamps.
- They all have oil in their lamps.
- They are all prepared and awaiting the bridegroom.
- The bridegroom tarried.
- All ten of them slumbered and slept.
- All were awakened as the bridegroom was announced.
- All arose and trimmed their lamps.
- Five had brought extra oil, they were wise.
- Five did not have extra oil, they were foolish.
- The five who had extra oil to keep their lamps lit went into the marriage.
- The five who ran out of oil were excluded from the marriage and lost out.
So what does this have to do with whether we believe the Pre-Tribulation Theory or not? As I read this parable during the time I was seeking the truth in this matter I began to weep. It came on me forcefully that the essence of this parable was that five of the ten virgins, even though they had been prepared and eagerly awaiting the bridegroom, were simply not prepared for him to tarry. Because of their confidence in thinking they knew when He would come, they neglected to prepare for Him to tarry. As a result they lost everything. Time has only strengthened my conviction that those who so heavily place their confidence in escaping tribulation, are not prepared for Christ’s return if He should tarry beyond their expectations. They are not prepared for tribulation, let alone facing death because of their faith.
Often people will use a parable to develop a sermon using elements of the parable with no regard for the purpose and message Jesus had intended. This parable was not intended to give us information about the marriage supper of the Lamb. Nor can we spiritualize elements of this parable as some have, thinking the oil must symbolize the Holy Spirit (it won’t make sense if you do). It’s a parable and we need to understand the point Jesus wants us to think about. Jesus stated His purpose clearly. “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” (Mt 25:13 NAS) The parable illustrates the need to be prepared in case He doesn’t appear when we are expecting Him to.
I suppose there are other lessons we could learn from this parable such as: we need to keep our light lit. But let us not neglect or undermine the crucial message Jesus is trying to tell us. This is wisdom. Don’t be foolish.
Many years have gone by since I became aware of the error of this doctrine that is so popular and wide spread. I have continued searching the Scriptures (secretly hoping I had just missed it and there really will be a pre-tribulation rapture). I read everything I come across on the subject, especially those books and articles supporting a pre-tribulation rapture. Still after more than 30 years I have found no one who can show me in the Scripture where the pre-tribulation rapture is declared or taught. There have been books written and movies made to support and strengthen this theory in people’s minds (fictional stories of course), yet nothing with substance. I will admit though, the theory has grown in depth since I was a child. Many through logic and imagination have tried to explain away the logistical problems that have arisen because of its conflicts with Scripture. I am convinced that there is nothing that we cannot rationalize in our support of what we want to believe.
Explanations haven’t been good enough for me though, I am looking for that clear reading in Scripture. I have tried to be patient (well kind of, except for my occasional ranting and raving around my home) awaiting an opportunity to share with anyone who cares for truth the seriousness of teaching this doctrine. Some time ago I believed an opportunity had come. My pastor consented to let me present the coming of our Lord from a Scriptural perspective in my adult Sunday School Class. After all these years I thought I was ready. I was wrong. I raise the hackles on a few necks. A retired minister, even after he had calmed down came to me and said, “Don’t challenge my faith!”
I thought our faith was looking forward to the coming of our Lord, and our gathering unto Him. For some it seemed that their blessed hope was closer linked to not experiencing tribulation.
I learned some things after that first lesson and returned the next Sunday with a fresh approach. God help me present your Word in truth and purity. My mistake was that I had in my introduction let people know that I did not believe in a pre-trib rapture. Instead of inspiring them to examine everything I presented with a fine tooth comb (as I had expected), it raise an impenetrable defense that hindered their acceptance of anything different than they had been taught before.
The next Sunday I said, “Let me just read some scripture to you.”
I read Matthew 24 to them and the parallel account in Luke. These passages of Scripture clearly answer the question that the disciples had: “When will these things be?” I don’t know how many people I have convinced, but for all who have simply read or heard the answer of Jesus have been informed of when the rapture is to take place.